THE HIDDEN LIFE OF THE BURROWING OWL TO PREMIERE AT ANNECY ‘08

Directorial debut for Titmouse staff animator Mike Roush

Hollywood, CA., June 20 – Titmouse Animation Studios launches its new Short Film division with the 2D animated short film The Hidden Life Of The Burrowing Owl, which has been announced as an Official Selection of the venerable Annecy International Animated Film Festival, which will run from June 9th – June 14th , 2008. This is the first directing foray for staff animator Mike Roush, who also conceived and wrote the project.

The film features the life and challenges of an endangered burrowing owl, who is faced with surviving an unusual desert predator. The film was inspired by the popular nature documentary films of the 70’s, and features a classic narration by Palm Springs legend Ed Kibbey, who served for decades as the Voice of Palm Springs’ most famous tourist attraction, the Tramway. The film will screen six times during the course of the week of the legendary festival, which has been showcasing the world’s best animation for over 45 years in this idyllic French Alp resort in Southern France.

Roush’s original script was selected as the first project for Titmouse Shorts, the new director development initiative recently launched by Executive Producers and studio founders Chris and Shannon Prynoski. Roush, a CSU Fullerton alumni, has been a staff animator at Titmouse for over three years, working at Lead Animator for the studio’s production of the Adult Swim cult hit Metalocalypse. “We are so fortunate to work with some of the best animators and artists in the country,” says Shannon P., who oversees daily production of the Shorts in the program. “We are committed to providing the resources and opportunities to our artists to explore their own creative vision as they have contributed so much to the success and growth of Titmouse.” The studio will produce and finance two projects a year. The next film slated for release is Pinched, by animator David Vandervoort, and is expected to premiere January 2009.

The Hidden Life of The Burrowing Owl will screen as part of the Short Competition Program #2, from June 10th – June 13, in Annecy, France. Mike Roush will be in attendance, along with Executive Producers Chris and Shannon Prynoski.

Press Release Download (PDF): Owl_Release.pdf
2008-06-21